First Bag with a zip

This is a very simple bag that I made, it is composed of a front, back, bottom and 2 side pieces. I kept the side pieces long on purpose so that I could tie a longer piece of dark fabric to the handbag to form a bag strap. On the front of the bag I appliquéd on 9 birds, I also used a fabric pen to draw on the legs and feet of the bird to make the shape look better. i also padded the front of the bag out with a thermal material  at the front. I finished the strap with a blanket stitch and sewed the zip by hand as I wanted it to be neat as it would be visible.

Now to make a get well soon gift for Stu ...

My Cute New Purse

I did this purse in about an hour, I wanted something fast after my patchwork handbag that took about a week. First I drew out the template, then I pinned the paper onto my fabric and cut it the pattern. I then folded the fabric flat into 3 sections, the fabric was inside out then I stitched the sides up using my machine. I hand finished the purse with a blanket stitch on the envelope top in a pale blue. I then attached the button which I got at a second hand market back home.

The fabric was from Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/jenny.1760/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686  The handmade label was also from EBay, I used fabric glue to hold it in place. http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/myfabrichouse/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

I plan to make another one of these and give it to my sister :)

My Handmade Patchwork Bag

This is my first bag I have ever made, it took me just under a week to finish. I wanted to make one as a way of practising how to sew straight lines on my new (and first ever) sewing machine. I thought it would be good as all the stitching is inside the bag and so is hidden by the lining. I got all the patches from Ebay - some of them are even different sizes. A few of the squares were plain, they had no pattern on them so I decided to liven them up by using appliqué of simple shapes to brighten up the dull squares. The handle I found very hard to do, I stitched it to the lining of the bag and then used fabric glue above and below the stitching to make sure that the handles are strong. I also decided to add a bow to the handles to make it more pretty, I just put a simple stitch through the bow to hold it in place. I finished the top of the bag with a blanket stitch I did by hand. 

Gift for Grandma

I made the mouse as an additional gift for my grandma's birthday as something that is a bit different and the best thing is it will be a one off gift, i really liked the idea that someone special should get something special and something that was made with lots of love and care. I made it by had  with all recycled fabric, I sewed it by hand except for the tail for which I used my machine. I found it easier to stuff the mouse last. I made this over 2 evenings so it doesn't take long at all...

The idea and the pattern came from this book - THANKS! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Countryside-Softies-Amy-Adams/dp/1607052156/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326406820&sr=8-1-spell

A Handmade Gift...

I bought the socks from Primark and decided to customise them to turn them into a handmade gift for my Grandma. I use googled images of flower templates and then traced my favourite design (as well as saving it on my computer for future projects) on Bondaweb and then ironed onto a small square of scrap fabric with cute little flowers on it that I got on Ebay in a bundle. I then sewed around the edge of the star shape and will repeat onto the other sock.

The Very Beginning

So here is the humble beginnings of my blog to catalogue my attempt to make craft things. My first efforts were a series of 5 Christmas cards that I cross stitched, then I made a boiled egg warmer, and have recently being trying applique, I have made a small picture with 3 birds on and I am beginning to make a pillowcase with flowers on it after finding out how amazing Bondaweb is...